Thursday 17 May 2012

The Passive Voice

The Passive Voice: grammar rules, explanations and examples.


The Formation of the Passive Voice

auxiliary verb to be + Participle II 
A passive verb form is made with the auxiliary verb to be (in the different tenses) and the past participle of the main verb.
Affirmative Interrogative Negative
I am told.
She is told.
He is told.
It is made.
We are told.
You are told.
They are told.
Am I told?
Is she told?
Is he told?
Is it made?
Are we told?
Are you told?
Are they told?
I am not told.
He is not told.
She is not told.
It is not made.
We are not told.
You are not told.
They are not told.


The subject of a passive verb is usually the person or thing that is affected be the action of the verb. 
Compare: 
I wrote this letter. (Active) → This letter was written by me. (Passive)